Gems & Folklore

I like to work with unusual gems. I like what you don’t see everywhere. I am an opal freak! I have opals you won’t even know are opals… Topaz in rich apricot syrup colors … Citrines that are as deep and bold as fine Madiera. Want to see phenomenal and unusual colored gem stones? See me. ~ Marc

Who said gemstones have to be predictable …opals in shades of pastel… or citrines a pallid yellow? Nonsense! Let the earth open its soul and spill forth exquisite gem stones in colors that will leave you speechless.

Opals

Marc’s favorite gemstone, each selected opal is stunning in color and iridescence. Australia’s national gem stone and the October birthstone, opals are characterized as ‘soft’ stones. The word opal means “to see a change in color.” Opals are formed in low temperatures from silica-bearing water. The most dramatically varied of all gem stones, Marc’s huge opal collection includes a vast array of extraordinarily vivid color combinations.

Featured Opal Pieces

Sapphire

I want you to experience the gorgeous color a sapphire was meant to be. My sapphires will take your breath away. ~ Marc

The sapphire is a hard gemstone, measuring just under the hardness of a diamond — 9 on the gem stone scale. A beautiful sister stone to the ruby, a sapphire’s color comes from traces of titanium and iron. The name sapphire is from the Greek ‘sapphirus,’ for blue. Although serene ocean blue is the preferred sapphire color, these mesmerizing gem stones can also be found in dark blue, purple, green, yellow, pink, and rarely, even clear.

Imperial Topaz Design

An 8 on the hardness scale, topaz is known as the “Stone of Strength” due to its durability and beauty. Topaz originates from the Sanskrit “tapaz,” meaning fire, a reference to the range of flame-like colors of the gem, from orange-yellow, amber gold, peach and pink, to sherry red. Although less desirable, topaz can also be found in browns, pinks, purples and blues. There is even an unusual bi-color topaz, combining blue and peach pastel tones. The most valuable variety of topaz is the Imperial topaz, a beautiful reddish-gold color, and a favorite of Marc’s.

Featured Topaz Piece

Citrine

In the right color and cut, this is a gorgeous, distinctive stone. It’s great fun to play with, as it can be regal in lusty Madiera red, or upbeat and playful in pale yellow. ~ Marc

Found in Spain, France and Hungary, the citrine gets its name from the yellow of the lemon (“citron” in French), and was first used in jewelry by the ancient Romans. Although the most sought-after citrines are radiant peach to deep Madiera red, the gemstones are famous for their warm, gold tones that seem to capture the last glow of autumn. Citrines acquire their golden color when amethyst becomes heated deep inside the earth, and have a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Said to bring fortune in business and peacefulness to the soul, citrines are highly wearable gem stones.

Emerald

Emeralds belong to the beryl mineral family and register 7.5 – 8 on the hardness scale. Considered one of the most difficult gemstones to cut, emeralds are harder than steel but also brittle, and can easily crack or chip. Marc knows it takes an expert eye to determine how an emerald should be cut to maximize its brilliance and character. The stones in Marc’s emerald collection are every shape and size, all brilliant cut, and bright, radiant green – the most desired, purest emerald hue.

"Walking into a jewelry store, especially to buy something like an engagement ring, can be an intimidating, pressure filled experience. I knew for sure that I was going to buy my fiancee's ring from Aronstam when I realized it was the kind of store I wanted to visit and in which I felt entirely comfortable.

We've purchased several more items at Aronstam, and the experience has always been the same. We won't buy jewelry anywhere else in Indianapolis. If you're looking to support a local business that boasts a superior customer service experience and an exceptional product (and why wouldn't you be looking for this?!), go to Aronstam."

“Marc has always been interested in what I say and what I want. He really pays attention. There is no agenda for him other than creating a piece of custom jewelry that will truly make me happy.”

“My husband and I have been working with Marc since before 1980. We began with jewelry repair work and jewelry appraisals and gradually began to buy Marc’s custom designer pieces and custom pieces. Through all these years, Marc’s attention to detail and jeweler craftsmanship has been absolutely incredible.”

“You never feel pushed to buy when you enter the Indianapolis jewelry store. You are welcomed as a friend (new or old) and treated with respect and kindness by a well-trained and knowledgeable staff. Donna is fabulous! We adore her.”

“My experiences with Aronstam Jewelers have always exceeded my expectations! I have always felt a part of the ‘Aronstam family.’ Beautiful, custom jewelry gives me pleasure like a piece of fine art. Marc and the Aronstam Family create and sell fine art. I would and do recommend Aronstam Jewelers to anyone that asks... (and I do not recommend anyone that I don't feel strongly about as that reflects on me!)”

"My husband and I have been customers of Marc's for well over 20 years. The reason we keep coming back is simple: Marc's custom jewelry work is first class. I love his work. Everything is quality. It's always beautiful, always one-of-a-kind, always incredible. We've never been disappointed with anything he has created for us. We strongly recommend you visit his Indianapolis store."

"I came to Marc with a quandary. I had five diamonds from old family jewelry pieces, each stone was a different size, each with a unique history. I knew I wanted a new piece from the diamonds, but I had no idea what to do with them. Marc could "see" how the different diamonds could work together and made a uniquely gorgeous bracelet for me. I've never seen anything else like it -- and never will."

“Although Marc may be better known for some of the contemporary pieces he designs, he does beautiful work for those of us with more traditional tastes, too. In fact, I think Marc’s amazing jeweler skills as a craftsman are often more apparent with his old fashioned or antique-looking jewelry pieces because they can be so intricate.”

“Marc designed a diamond-shaped white gold pendant for me, knowing how much I love the look of antique jewelry. The pendant has two different faces, one sapphire with diamonds, and the other, adorned with pearls. He set the pendant off beautifully with an antique white gold chain with a custom hook, so I can wear the pendant long, short, or double-stranded. In essence, I have a single pendant I can wear six different ways. How cool is that? Marc is an incredible custom jeweler.”

"It's nice to work with the owner directly - especially one who knows design, gem stones and jewelry as well as Marc does. Marc always listens extremely carefully to what I have in mind before working on a piece of custom jewelry for me. With the exception of my husband, Marc listens better than any other man I have ever known!!"

“I have several beautiful custom jewelry pieces that Marc designed that began life many years ago as family heirlooms. One of my sentimental favorites was made from two bracelets of my mother’s that evolved into a one-of-a-kind necklace with a uniquely displayed pendant. Another favorite is a pair of sapphire earring jackets – also my mother’s – that Marc re-designed, enhancing the sapphire “jackets” with diamonds, which really showcase the diamond stud earrings. They are truly stunning. I wore them to my daughter’s wedding in Indianapolis. In each instance, the care and detail Marc put into the jewelry design is remarkable.”

"Marc originally designed my ex-wife's wedding ring in 1993. I never forgot what a beautiful, creative piece he made. Well, the marriage didn't last ;-) but, my memory of his work and the way I was treated did!
For Christmas 2014 I went to him to design something special for my girlfriend. Through some miscommunication and a slow FedEx delivery, my necklace arrived on Christmas Eve with the wrong design. Marc showed empathy, class and integrity and was literally willing to do "whatever it will take to make this right." How often do you get that level of personal commitment and righteous behavior out of other retailers? NEVER!
He suggested an alternative, some diamond earrings and he made me an incredible deal to make up for the mistake. My girlfriend LOVED them! He will always be my jeweler of choice from now on. Marc, thank you for saving Christmas for me! You are the BEST!"